Enforcement Program

After Idaho statehood and before 1938, fish and game statutes were enforced by state game wardens - political appointees who served at the pleasure of the governor.

In 1938, a voter referendum established the Idaho Fish and Game Commission, which removed Fish and Game staff from direct political control and made possible a truly professional resource agency focused on a single mission: preserving and perpetuating fish and wildlife resources. Statutes written to accomplish this were enforceable by any Fish and Game employee. Over the years, enforcement responsibilities expanded to include boating regulations, water resources and state lands statutes, and livestock rustling laws.

Conservation officers handled most of this activity, in addition to enforcing fish and game laws and collecting scientific data. They learned on the job, with little formal training except firearm instruction alongside local sheriff or police department personnel. They also assisted local, state and federal law-enforcement personnel upon demand, even though they had no arrest powers until the late 1970s. When the Idaho Peace Officers Standards and Training Academy opened in 1970, POST certification became mandatory for all Idaho conservation officers.

In the late 1970's, the Idaho Conservation Officers Association, the Idaho Sheriffs Association and numerous other law enforcement officials from across Idaho lobbied the state legislature to grant peace officer status to Fish and Game conservation officers. Convinced of the need, the legislature approved the measure in 1978.

Today's conservation officer is a highly-trained professional. Probationary officers are required to attend and successfully complete Idaho's Peace Officer Standards and Training Academy and field training evaluation while working alongside veteran conservation officers. The veteran officers evaluate each new officer for 10 weeks to determine if he or she will be hired as a conservation officer. Probationary officers study Fish and Game statutes and policy, commission rules, officer safety, public relations, and enforcement situations. Training continues throughout officers' careers. All attend 32 hours of specialized enforcement training, such as defensive tactics training, each year. They must qualify with their sidearm every six months; those who routinely carry shotguns or rifles must qualify with these weapons every 12 months. Officers may attend other training seminars when available.

• DNA forensics program
• Wildlife Violator Compact
• Become A Conservation Officer
• Remembering Law Enforcement Heroes – Memorials for fallen Idaho Fish and Game officers